Minister unable to give answer to central question...

March 04, 2003

In evidence today to the Home Affairs Select Committee, Beverley Hughes,
the Minister in charge of asylum and immigration, was unable to say
how many asylum seekers remained in Britain after being refused permission
to stay here over the past five years.

'Our estimate is that they number approaching 250,000,' said Sir
Andrew Green, Chairman of think-tank, Migrationwatchuk.

'These are of course the ones who go through the system - they
take no account of many thousands of others who do not,' he said.

He said the group based its numbers on the following Home Office
statistics:

Numbers of applicants 1998 - 2002

375,850

Less those granted asylum or ELR

143,572

Less those removed

43,330

Sub total:

188,948

Add 30% for dependants

56,684

TOTAL:

245,632

'Ms Hughes claims that an unknown number return home of their own
accord without notifying the Home Office, but they have no evidence
to support this contention.

'Without an effective and swift removals mechanism the whole system
is rendered pointless,' said Sir Andrew.